The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-25

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spent good deal of money raising the regiment.
| did not think of getting it then. L thought
| that the part that could do and was glad
| to do I shouldn't have come at all, but Emily
| got the notion that l was going to do and
talked about it so that it would crafty
her pride. So came; l don't think ! was IN
tended for soldier. though 1 am willing to do
it. If they had made me quartermaster now
| that is in my line. But not going to
lobby for it, and besides don't think Emily
| would have liked it aswell.'
''All this talk in his quiet, pathetic voice was
| too much for me. The idea of being an execu-
tor too. was only less terrible to me than of be-
| a stranger to such things and having unusual
| dread of all legal complexities. / knew nothing
of Bridgess business. living as I did in distant
| part of the county, had never seen his wife but
| once when she came to bid him good-b we
| started for the field. She beautiful WON
an. 1 wondered then how she came to marry
Bridges / understood now, l was very difhdent
at that time and, like most country lads, shy of
ladies' society. The very idea of being asso-
ciated with pretty widow in the administra-
ton of her husbands estate threw me into a
state of perspiration. / think had idea
that there way out of such duty if 1T
were once devolved OF me. So begged him to
had the will, and he would rest easier if he knew
I was interested in her welfare. Whyh should
I could not imagine. was nothing but school
boy, and not very bright one either.
'In trying to find way out of this 1T oc
Cured to me that an officer with little detail
of men was 10 be sent back in the morning
termined to get out of what seemed to me des-
perate scrape. finally asked him outright why
he did not resign, take this detail back to the
city and leave the service. l thought might
help my friend Edison by persuading him to this
course as well save the mans life and benefit
the service at the same time. L did not hesitate
to tell Bridges what he already knew, that he
was not fitted for the place and 1T would be
patriotic duty on his part
He hesitated. chiefly am sure on account of
his wife. At the same time his love for her and
the conviction he had of her he1plessness in
clined him to follow my counsel The result
was that before sunrise his resignation was
made out. approved by the colonel and he was
on his way back to Nashville in command OF the
squad detailed to take IN a few sick. some wag-
relieved from duty and went back to private
life"
Did you have hard fight at Mumfords-
ville2" asked one of the listeners.
I'VE carried it by assault at daybreak OF the
26th" said the captain with SMILE without
firing shot or losing man. capturing one
mule yerv far gone with the CHAMBERS, which
was all the trace the enemy had left, they haY-
ing departed twelve hours before we arrived"
so he wouldn't have been hurt after all!' said
s.He must have thought that vision of his was
"a tremendous SELL" said another.
"Poor Emily" exclaimed another IN lugubrious
tones.
This sally brought the laugh that the quaint
ending of the narrative seemed 10 deserve and
there was movement to retire when. curious
to know the feeling of the man AFTER tins ludl-
crous anticlimax, l asked
s'What ever became of the fellow9"
.sThat is the strangestp part of the matter gen
tlemen,- said the captain soberly. He had not
Joined in the laugh, and every one settled back
in his place to wait for the sequel. I'm Febru-
airy, 1864, was ordered home on recruiting serv-
ice The train delayed at Mumfordsville
for repairs to the track, which had lately been
disturbed by bushwhackers. Hearing that we
were likely to be delayed all day l strolled INTO
the little town and remembering Bridges
dream after time, sauntered up to the crest OF
the hill where he had read his doom. As did
1 could but remember how accurately ne mad
described what he had never seen queer
enough there were some fresh graves on
the crest where he had located his own. AS
came nearer saw woman IN wldows weeds s
but my curiosity was piqued to see her face and
drew near at the risk of 1ntrudlng on her
noise of nv footsteps came to her ears and she
turned a wild startled look upon me, and cast
herself prone upon the grave clasping the head
being removed As she did so. the head
board previously concealed by her form. On 1T
distinctly traced !
~ s. Bridges.
Lieut.-Ind Vols.
Killed in action at Munfordsvile,
Ky, Dec. &c, 1868.
Every one drew a long breath at this
And the woman" asked one.
His wife. She had come for his body and /
had become insane it'll grief A family IN town
had kindly cared for her."
''How did it come about"
s'Well the story of his resignation leaked out,
and the righteousness of the subsequent events
was too much for the people at home. He was
jeered and tainted until even his young wife
hung her head with shame at the thought of
having married a coward. Bridges stood it for
while, then went and joined a regiment which
was being recruited in the next county,
private. In fight which occurred just after it
was mustered into service he showed such des-
perate valor and withal such a soldierly capacity
that he was promoted to his former rank to date
from that day. By mere accident, he was at
when Morgan made his attack on
the garrison demoraliZed by their Christmas
festivities and in trying to rally the troops in
the early morning, killed and buried on
the very spot he had described so well a year
before
Nobody spoke for some minutes. Then one.
the look in all our eyes. shrugged
his shoulders and said Strange. wasn't itp
was thinking of the young wife and almost
asked:
And the wife,"
.'She was so overcome with remorse at this
which she blamed herself for hav-
ing caused, that, as / said, she became insane
took her home; secured proper care for her.
qualified executor of her husbands will. and
when my recruiting leave expired rendered my
resignation and wound up his estate. 1t at
some personal sacrifice that did so, for had
been promoted in the meantime pair of eagles
were waiting my acceptance of the commission.
thought it my duty to do what could to re-
pair the harm 1 seemed Internationally to have |
been instrumental in causing"
ibid she recoverl' asked one, with the SYM
pathy all felt in his voice.
''She is my wife," said the captain, and his
ip quivered as he added II dread to be away
rom her at this Instead of being
time of hilarity it is always of apprehension
10 me. But for accident to train should
nave been at home last night AS it is 1 am
5rying to divert her attention from the past by
requent dispatches showing my progress home
ward. hope it may not be in vain. Pardon
ne, gentlemen, if have marred your pleasure.
is not always a synonym for pleas
mt memories"
The whistle sounded as he ceased speaking.
iS lodi hao i1nadc |
% his feet. Il must send dispatch from here
10 that she will get it early in the morning"
Whittier at Home.